Tent – canopy – umbrella – or cane – Portable shelter – Canopy supported by vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-04-17
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Tent, canopy, umbrella, or cane
Portable shelter
Canopy supported by vehicle
C160S122000, C280SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216714
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention protects the golf bags and clubs located on the rear of a golf cart from getting wet. If a golfer plays during the rain, the cover affords easy access and replacement with minimal rain intrusion on the other clubs.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Golf carts, after manufacture, are generally outfitted with a roof and windshield affording some personal protection for the golfer. Golf bags and clubs on the rear of the golf cart are uncovered and exposed to the rain. Golf bags and clubs getting wet is undesirable from a usability and deterioration standpoint. To protect the bags and clubs, many alternatives have been developed.
The most common alternative is the canvas cover that protects the whole cart and club area. They afford maximum protection, but are bulky, difficult to use, unsightly, subject to cracking, wear, mildew, and block the golfers field of vision. There are also lighter weight all vinyl versions available, per Mills U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 (1978). Their only redeeming feature is good visibility. In general, the whole cart cover approach is awkward to use when occasionally needed and a real nuisance the rest of the time.
The second set of alternatives for protecting golf bags and clubs on golf carts are separate vinyl or canvas envelopes or hoods as per Chapman U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,967 (1992). They encase one or two bags and have some sort of a club access panel. They afford reasonable protection but are bulky to store, prone to cracking, mildew, and unsightly. Inverted garbage bags work almost as well and are considerably cheaper.
The third set of alternatives is a manual roll down flap attached to the rear of the golf cart roof. They are held down with elastic cords hooked either to the bumper or the bag straps. An obvious disadvantage of this approach is the manual roll-up. Other disadvantages are incumbent with the type of material used: black plastic as per Ross U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,941 (1991) blocks the view and looks unsightly; clear vinyl as per Simpson U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,018 (1997) needs rerolling and thoroughly drying to avoid fogging and mildew.
The fourth set of alternatives is a fold down canopy cover over the bags and clubs. Held U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,037 (1989) proposes a manual canopy. This works but is unsightly, blocks vision, and is subject to mildew.
My approach is a canopy that locks down when open and automatically rewinds into a neat package when not in use. Utilizing clear vinyl allows full rearward vision. Maintenance is also eased Iy the simple pull-down and automatic roll-up.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Objects of this invention are; 1) keep a golfer's clubs dry, 2) provide easy access to the clubs, for use in the rain, and 3) be neat and out of the way when not in use. Advantages are ease of use, neat, good rearward vision, long material life due to rolling rather than folding or bundling, and easy maintenance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 121693 (1871-12-01), Vick
patent: 1786048 (1930-12-01), Williams
patent: 2826210 (1958-03-01), Heil
patent: 4088363 (1978-05-01), Palmer
patent: 4098536 (1978-07-01), Mills
patent: 4331169 (1982-05-01), Bonser
patent: 4830037 (1989-05-01), Held
patent: 5010941 (1991-04-01), Ross
patent: 5146967 (1992-09-01), Chapman
patent: 5516181 (1996-05-01), Thompson
patent: 5531239 (1996-07-01), Hannah, Jr.
patent: 5688018 (1997-11-01), Simpson
patent: 6068008 (2000-05-01), Caldwell
Cohen Curtis A.
Stodola Daniel P.
LandOfFree
Golf cart club cover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Golf cart club cover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Golf cart club cover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438290